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>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BREANNA FOR NOSY.

>>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

I AM BREANNA FOR NOSY.

THERE IS A NEW REALITY FOR DRIVERS IN NEW JERSEY, FILLING UP YOUR TANK IS GOING TO TAKE A BIG BITE OUT OF YOUR WALLET, AND LIKELY FOR MANY MONTHS TO COME.

GAS PRICES CONTINUE SOARING TO RECORD HIGHS.

THE AVERAGE PRICE, OVER FIVE DOLLARS A GALLON IN THE STATE, AND YOU WON'T FIND A CHEAPER PRICE FROM OUR NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE BORDER.

TODAY, NEW YORK HIT FIVE DOLLARS A GALLON FOR THE FIRST TIME.

PENNSYLVANIA HIT THAT NUMBER A WEEK AGO.

TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG THIS WEEK DEFENDED THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S RESPONSE, TELLING THE PUBLIC THE PRICE OF GAS ISN'T SET BY A DIAL IN THE OVAL OFFICE.

BUT THAT IS NOT SITTING WELL WITH FAMILIES FOR WHOM THE RISING COST OF FUEL IS HAVING A DRAMATIC IMPACT.

SANTANA REPORTS.

>> Reporter: ABOUT 125.

OUCH, THAT IS HOW MUCH HE SAYS IT IS GOING TO COST HIM DEVELOP HIS CAR TODAY.

HE SAYS A YEAR AGO, IT WOULD HAVE COST HIM HALF OF THAT.

HERE IN THIS EXON ON ROUTE 17 SOUTH IN EAST RUTHERFORD, IT WILL COST YOU $4.09 A GALLON IF YOU PAY BY CASH.

AND $5.07 IF YOU PAY BY CARD.

AND IF YOU'RE WATCHING THIS AND YOU THINK YOU CAN FIND A BETTER DEAL, PETER D HAHN OF GAS BUDDY SAYS GOOD LUCK.

>> NOT A LOT OF CHOICES, PRICES ARE HIGH, BASICALLY EVERY STATE, NOW $5.02 A GALLON.

AND $.26 FROM JUST A WEEK AGO, THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF ABOUT $.24 IN THE LAST WEEK.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS ABOUT FIVE DOLLARS A GALLON.

SO THAT IS WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE, ON AVERAGE, ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Reporter: AS GAS PRICES CONTINUE TO SEARCH, WAREHOUSE RETAILERS, INCLUDING BJ'S, WHICH USED TO ALLOW NONMEMBERS TO FILL UP AT ITS GAS STATION, WILL NOT REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE MEMBERSHIP.

THE CHANGE THAT STARTS UNTIL JULY 5th COMES AS MOTORISTS SCOUR THE STATE FOR THE BEST BARGAIN OR DISCOUNTED GAS AS PRICES CREEP HIGHER.

>> IF THERE ANY ISSUES LIKE HURRICANES OR UNEXPECTED DISRUPTIONS, I AM WORRIED THAT WE COULD GO HIGHER.

>> Reporter: THE HIGH GAS PRICES HAVE CAUSED THEM TO CHANGE THEIR DAILY DRIVING HABITS.

LIFESTYLE, AND IN SOME CASES, EVEN THEIR SUMMER PLANS.

>> IT IS DEFINITELY CUT INTO MY FAMILIES OTHER EXPENSES, WHICH WE COULD USE TO FOODS OR HOUSING.

FILLED MY TAKE TWO TIMES A MONTH, $119, FOR NOT EVEN 20 GALLONS.

THAT IS GOING TO COST ME, IT IS GOING TO TAKE $1200 OF INCOME TO DO THIS, MONTH.

>> I DIDN'T FILL UP MY TANK TODAY, I HAVEN'T BEEN FOR A WILE.

IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE, IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: NORMALLY WHAT WOULD THIS COST?

>> IT USED TO BE 15, NOW IT IS LIKE 80.

>> WE DID A DRIVER SURGE SURVEY BACK IN MARCH, WE ASKED THEM WHAT THE PAIN POINT WAS FOR THE PRICE OF GASOLINE, AND 75% SAID FIVE DOLLARS A GALLON.

THOSE ARE THE 35 SAID THAT THEY WOULD CARPOOL MORE.

THOSE OVER 35 SAID THAT THEY WOULD COMBINE THEIR ERRANDS WITH THEIR COMMUTE, THAT THEY WOULD NOT EAT OUT AS MUCH, IF AT ALL, AND THEY WOULD PUT OFF MAKING A MAJOR PURCHASE.

>> Reporter: ROBINSON CLEARED JR. OF TRIPLE-A NORTHEAST, SAYS WHERE YOU BUY GASOLINE COULD BE KEY WHEN IT COMES TO SAVING MONEY AT THE PUMP.

>> WHERE YOU BUY GASOLINE IS IMPORTANT, AS WELL.

IT TENDS TO BE MOST EXPENSIVE ON HIGHWAYS.

TENDS TO BE CHEAPER ON THOSE STATIONS WHERE IT MIGHT BE AT THE INTERSECTION THERE COMPETING WITH EACH OTHER.

>> Reporter: SOME SEPTEMBER, deHAAN EXPECTS SOME RELIEF.

DON'T EXPECT PRICES TO GO RIGHT BACK DOWN TO THREE DOLLARS, BUT INSTEAD LINGER AROUND THE MID- FOUR DOLLAR RANGE.

IN THE MEANTIME, deHAAN OFFERS THESE TIPS TO DRIVERS THE SUMMER.

>> I WOULD ADVISE MOTORISTS CONSIDER TRYING TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT, ACCELERATE AT A SLOW PACE, A LOT OF THAT BOOSTS YOUR FUEL EFFICIENCY AS MUCH AS 30%.

THAT IS THE EQUIVALENT OF SAVING $.50 TO A DOLLAR A GALLON.

SO JUST SLOWING DOWN A LITTLE BIT ON YOUR COMMUTE, TRYING TO USE CRUISE CONTROL, WATCHING THE LIGHTS AHEAD OF YOU AND TRYING TO CONSERVE FUEL A LITTLE BIT, YOU CAN SAVE A LOT OF MONEY.

>> Reporter: FROM NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM REAGAN'S ANTENNA.

TRONE >>> THE TRANSITION IS ONCE AHEAD IN THE CROSSHAIRS, GOVERNOR MURPHY, NEW YORK GOVERNMENT COCOA, AND ERIC ADAMS, TODAY UNVEILED THE LATEST RENOVATION PLANS FOR NEW YORK PENN STATION.

INCLUDING CHANGING THE TWO STORY MAZE OF CONFUSING CORRIDORS INTO AN AREA WONDERFUL TRAIN HOME.

THE $7 BILLION PLAN ALSO INCLUDES ADDING PUBLIC SPACE, PROTECTING USE OF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, AND CREATING HOMELESS OUTREACH TEAMS.

A PREVIOUS REDESIGNED PLAN ANNOUNCED LAST YEAR WAS TWEAKED AFTER GATHERING COMMUNITY INPUT.

THE NEXT STEP IS BETTING ARCHITECT AND ENGINEER PROPOSALS FOR THE REBUILD.

>> OUR VISION ISN'T JUST FOR A NEW PENN STATION, BUT AS KATHY SAID, AND EXPANDED ONE THAT WILL NOT JUST MEET THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO COME THROUGH HERE, ANNUALLY, BUT WILL EXCEED THEM.

WE ARE TRULY IN A ONCE IN A GENERATION MOMENT TO REMAKE OUR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND SECURE OUR ENTIRE REGIONS ECONOMIC THREE MINUTES FOR DECADES TO COME.

>>> THE AMERICAN DREAM ALL IN THE MEADOWLANDS TOOK ROUGHLY 15 YEARS, THREE OWNERS, AND MORE THAN $1 BILLION IN TAXPAYER SUPPORT TO OFFICIALLY LAUNCH.

AND IT HAS BEEN MIRED BY A SERIES OF SETBACKS EVER SINCE.

THE LATEST, PROPERTY DEVELOPERS MISSED THE MOST RECENT BOT PAYMENT.

NOW A SENIOR CORRESPONDENT LINDA FLANAGAN REPORTS TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO SEND THE CHECK.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN TWO AND HALF YEARS AFTER SPONGEBOB TRIUMPHANTLY LED A MARCHING BAND ON AMERICAN DREAM'S OFFICIAL DEBUT IN OCTOBER OF 2019, THE MEGAMALL STRUGGLING TO KEEP PACE WITH DEBT PAYMENTS THE MOST DEVELOPER, 555 OF CANADA, RISK DEFAULTING ON 800 MILLION MUNICIPAL DEBT WHEN IT MISSED A JUNE 1st INTEREST PAYMENT OF 11.4 BILLION.

THE BANK TAPPED TO RESERVE AN ACCOUNT FOR MONEY, BUT IS JUST THE LATEST IN A STRING OF FAILED PAYMENTS.

>> OBVIOUSLY THE PROJECT HAS BEEN TROUBLED.

IT IS A JOKE AROUND HERE THAT IT IS MAYBE CURSED.

IT IS LIKE THEY HAVE ALREADY HAVE THE THREE OF THE 10 PLAGUES.

>> Reporter: ANALYST NOTES AMERICAN DREAM OPENED ONLY TO GET LOCKED DOWN FOR MONTHS BY COVID, THEN PARTIALLY FLOODED BY IDA.

IT'S INDOOR SKI SLOPE, BIG SNOW, JUST REOPENED AFTER A FIRE CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE OVERALL, 555 OWES MORE THAN 1 BILLION IN MUNICIPAL BOND DEBT, +1.7 BILLION IN OUTSTANDING COMMERCIAL LOANS.

>> THERE MAY BE SOME NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES, THE LENDERS, AND AMERICAN DREAM, AND HOW TO MAYBE STRUCTURE ALL THEY ARE DEBT.

BECAUSE THEY JUST, THEY ARE BEHIND ON THE PROJECT.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR, 555 FORFEITED THE 49% REVENUE STAKE IT HAD PUT UP AS COLLATERAL IN ITS TWO OTHER MAJOR PROPERTIES, THE BALL OF AMERICAN IN MINNESOTA AND THE EDMONTON MALL IN CANADA.

MEANWHILE, AMERICAN DREAM IS ABOUT FIVE AND A HALF-MILLION BEHIND ON PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF TAXES TO EAST RUTHERFORD.

IT ALSO OWES THE TOWN A $108,000 SEWAGE LOAN BILL, AND THAT REALLY IRKS MAYOR JEFF LITERALLY ARE.

>> TAXPAYERS OF EAST RUTHERFORD HAVE BEEN PLAYING THEIR WATERFLOW BILL FOR 2021, THAT IS ALREADY PAID.

PAID BY THE TAXPAYERS.

I SUBMITTED THE BILL IN MARCH, THEY ARE JUST NOT HOLDING UP THEIR END OF THE BARGAIN.

I JUST DON'T KNOW, I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR FINANCES ARE.

IT IS NOT A ROSY FINANCIAL BILLION PICTURE.

>> Reporter: THE TOWN HIRED ATTORNEYS TO NEGOTIATE THE DELINQUENT PAYMENTS.

HE IS EVEN WILLING TO FORGIVE THE MONTHS COVID CLOSED THE VENUE.

HE IS NOW SO ANNOYED THE MAYOR WON'T PARTICIPATE IN EVENTS AT AMERICAN DREAM.

>> [ LAUGHTER ] >> Reporter: YOU ARE NOT OF A MIND TO DO THAT.

>> NO, NO.

>> Reporter: AMERICAN DREAM ORIGINALLY PROJECTED $2 BILLION IN ANNUAL EARNINGS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SHOW THE VENUE LOST 60 MILLION LAST YEAR, 555 WON'T COMMENT ON ITS FINANCIALS, BUT ANALYSTS SAY, FOOT TRAFFIC HAS BEEN RISING STEADILY AT THE VENUE SINCE MARCH, AND AMERICAN DREAM IS A MAMMOTH MULTIFACETED ENTERTAINMENT VENUE WITH UPSCALE SHOPPING CAN STILL SUCCEED.

>> WE ARE SEEING REALLY SIGNIFICANT PROMISE, TO SEE VISITS PICK UP.

IT IS JUST A QUESTION OF, CAN THE MOMENTUM CONTINUE AS THE AMERICAN DREAM STAYS OPEN LONGER?

THE BIG QUESTION WILL BE WHAT HAPPENS WITH TOURISM, BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL, AND CAN THEY CONTINUE TO PICK UP PACE?

>> Reporter: AMERICAN DREAMS MARKETING PLAN CAPPED IN ON TOURISTS FROM NEW YORK CITY, BUT THAT REVENUE STREAM COULD TAKE A COUPLE MORE YEARS TO RECOVER.

>> JULY AND AUGUST ARE GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT PERIOD FOR THIS LOCATION TO SHOW THAT IT HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO STAND OUT IN A VERY CROWDED RETAIL ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: BLOOMBERG BRAUN SAYS NEXT YEAR'S STATE BUDGET COULD INCLUDE SOME GRANT MONEY FOR AMERICAN DREAM.

TRIBBLE FIVE HAS UNTIL JUNE 16th TO MAKE ON THAT $11.4 MILLION INTEREST PAYMENT.

IT HAS A $9.3 MILLION PAYMENT DUE IN AUGUST.

I AM LINDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY OUTLINED THE START OF A CORONAVIRUS VACCINE ROLLOUT PLAN FOR KIDS UNDER FIVE, MAKING 10 MILLION VACCINE DOSES AVAILABLE TO THE COUNTRY.

IN ANTICIPATION OF FEDERAL AUTHORIZATION NEXT WEEK.

YOUNG KIDS ARE THE LAST OF AMERICANS WHO HAVEN'T BEEN RECOMMENDED TO GET A COVID-19 VACCINATION.

ACROSS NEW JERSEY, MORE THAN 3100 NEW POSITIVE CASES AND 11 MORE DEATHS ARE BEING REPORTED TODAY.

PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERS ARE ALSO LOOKING TO AN UPDATED BOOSTER FROM MODERNA, TARGETING THE OMICRON VARIANT, AS A MEANS TO CURB THE PANDEMIC FURTHER.

AND THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ENTIRELY NEW VACCINE OPTION FROM NOVAVAX ENTERING THE MARKET IF APPROVED, IT WOULD BE THE FOURTH VACCINE AVAILABLE.

WE ASKED STEPHANIE SILVEIRA, EPIDEMIOLOGIST FROM MONTCLAIR UNIVERSITY TO WALK US THROUGH ALL THE CHANGES.

>> Reporter: STEPHANIE, GOOD TO SEE YOU, AS ALWAYS.

I WANT TO ASK YOU FIRST ABOUT THE UPDATE ON THIS MODERNA BOOSTER WHAT COULD THIS POTENTIALLY MEAN FOR US IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID?

>> I THINK THIS IS ACTUALLY VERY GOOD NEWS, IT IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE BEEN VERY EXCITED ABOUT SEEING.

ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF THE MRNA VACCINE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THIS ABILITY TO PIVOT TO ADD NEW STRAINS, SO THIS WOULD BE A BIVALENT VACCINE, SO IT WOULD HAVE THE SPIKE PROTEIN FOR BOTH THE ORIGINAL STRAIN AND THE NEWER OMICRON VARIANT, AND GIVEN THAT WE ARE SEEING MOST OF THE SUB LINEAGES COME FROM OMICRON, THAT MEANS WE COULD HAVE EVEN GREATER PROTECTION AS WE HEAD INTO THE FALL.

>> Reporter: OKAY, LET ME SHIFT GEARS BECAUSE, OF COURSE, THERE ARE FOLKS WHO ARE STILL A BIT HESITANT AND WE HAVE NEWS THIS WEEK OF THE NOVAVAX VACCINE, A FOURTH OPTION.

DO YOU ANTICIPATE THAT THIS COULD MAYBE SWAY PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL LEERY ABOUT IT IN THE COVID VACCINE?

>> I THINK THAT IS THE HOPE NOW I AM CONCERNED THAT SO MUCH TIME HAS GONE BY THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE AGAINST THESE VACCINES ARE NOT GOING TO SEE THAT THIS IS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF VACCINE.

THE DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR NOVAVAX IS REALLY SIMILAR TO OTHER VACCINES THAT HAVE BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR YEARS.

FOR SHINGLES, FOR HEPATITIS, FOR THE FLU.

AND I THINK WHAT THE HOPE IS IS THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE A LITTLE BIT WARY OF THE NEWER TECHNOLOGY MAY BE MORE WILLING TO GET THIS VACCINE.

>> Reporter: YEAH, I AM ALSO THINKING ABOUT PARENTS WITH YOUNG KIDS, THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 5, WHO MAY OR MAY NOT BE LOOKING FOR THE ALL CLEAR FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES LATER THIS MONTH.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHERE THAT STANDS?

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ON EDGE ABOUT IT.

>> SO I THINK THAT HAS BEEN HELD UP QUITE SOME TIME BY THE FDA.

I THINK THEY HAVE BEEN EVEN MORE CAUTIOUS BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT VERY VERY YOUNG CHILDREN.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE ARE PARENTS WHO, AS YOU KNOW, HAVE BEEN REALLY DEEPLY WORRIED ABOUT SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO CHILD CARE, AND THE FACT THAT THEY MAY BE COMING HOME WITH COVID, THE IMPACT IT WILL HAVE ON THOSE LITTLE BODIES AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO SPREAD THAT TO OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> Reporter: WHAT DOES ALL THIS SAY?

HERE WE ARE, TWO YEARS LATER FROM WHEN THIS PANDEMIC BEGAN, THAT WE DO HAVE THESE OPTIONS AT OUR DISPOSAL?

WHAT DOES IT SAY MOVING FORWARD?

>> WHAT I'M HOPING IS IT THAT WE CAN GET MORE THESE TO MARKET, MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED AND BOOSTED, MAYBE WE CAN STEM THE TIDE A LITTLE BIT, AS WE HEAD INTO FALL, WHEN NUMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE AGAIN.

>> Reporter: LOOKING AT THE WAY THAT WE JUST WENT THROUGH, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT US TO SEE THIS SUMMER >> I THINK THAT DURING THE SUMMER, WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE OUTSIDE MORE, THERE IS MORE VENTILATION, AND I THINK THAT DOES HELP TO KEEP THOSE NUMBERS DOWN A BIT.

BUT AGAIN, WE CAN'T FORGET THAT THIS HAS NOT GONE AWAY ENTIRELY.

AND SO WHEN WE HEAD BACK INTO FALL IS WHEN WE NEED TO BE REALLY CONCERNED AND BY THAT POINT, MOST OF US WILL BE WELL BEYOND THAT SIX MONTHS OF THAT FIRST ROOSTER, AND THE SECOND BOOSTER HAS YET TO BE APPROVED FOR THE GENERAL POPULATION.

OH I THINK WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT WHAT ARE THE MITIGATING FACTORS THAT WE CAN DO BEYOND VACCINES AND TREATMENTS TO KEEP OURSELVES SAFE?

>> Reporter: ALL RIGHT, STEPHANIE SILVEIRA, EPIDEMIOLOGIST, THANK YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> THANK YOU, A PLEASURE TALKING TO YOU.

>>> A PARENT IN UNION TOWNSHIP WAS ARRESTED THIS WEEK FOR THREATENING TO SHOOT UP AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DURING A PHONE CONVERSATION WITH THE PRINCIPAL.

PLACING THE SCHOOL ON LOCKDOWN, AND STOKING FEARS OF A COPYCAT FROM THE UVALDE, TEXAS MASSACRE.

THE INCIDENT PLAYED OUT AS THE HOUSE, WEDNESDAY, PAST SOME OF THE TOUGHEST GUN-CONTROL MEASURES CONGRESS HAS CONSIDERED IN YEARS.

THE PROTECTING OUR KIDS ACT INCLUDES RAISING THE LEGAL AGE TO BUY MOST SEMI AUTOMATIC RIFLES FROM 18 TO 21, AND BANNING HIGH-CAPACITY AMMUNITION MAGAZINES.

ALONG WITH CREATING NEW FEDERAL OFFENSES FOR GUN TRAFFICKING AND INCENTIVIZING THE SALE OF SAFE GUN STORAGE DEVICES AMONG OTHER ITEMS.

FIVE REPUBLICANS JOINED MOST DEMOCRATS, VOTING IN FAVOR OF ALL THE BILLS.

NEW JERSEY REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN, CHRIS SMITH, BOUGHT HIS PARTY AND VOTED YES ON A NUMBER OF THEM, INCLUDING A BILL TO RAISE THAT MINIMUM AGE FOR THE PURCHASE OF SEMI AUTOMATIC WEAPONS THE HOUSE ON THURSDAY ALSO PASSED A FEDERAL RED FLAG LAW.

FEDERAL LAWMAKERS ARE FACING MOUNTING PRESSURE TO ADDRESS THE SPATE OF RECENT MASS SHOOTINGS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THE BILL PACKAGE, THOUGH, IS EXPECTED TO FAIL IN THE SENATE, THE GOP TAKING A FIRM STANCE AGAINST ANY NEW GUN RESTRICTIONS.

INSTEAD, A BIPARTISAN SENATE GROUP IS EXPLORING A NARROWER BILL WITH THE HOPES OF PICKING UP ENOUGH VOTES FOR PASSAGE.

>>> PRIMARY ELECTIONS ARE TYPICALLY A SLEEPY EVENT FOR VOTERS, BRINGING OUT THE DEDICATED PARTISANS ONLY.

WELL NOW WE HAVE PRELIMINARY TURNOUT NUMBERS TO PROVE IT.

ACCORDING TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS SR.

WRITER CARLENE O'DAY, ROUGHLY 707,000 PEOPLE VOTED IN THE PRIMARIES THIS YEAR.

NOW THAT IS ABOUT A 48% INCREASE FROM THE LAST TIME HOUSE TOPPED THE BALLOT IN 2010, BUT STILL FAR BELOW THE NEARLY 3 MILLION REGISTERED DEMOCRAT IT AND REPUBLICAN VOTERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THIS WAS THE FIRST PRIMARY WHERE RESIDENTS COULD PARTICIPATE IN EARLY, IN PERSON VOTING.

MORE THAN 20,000 VOTERS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THAT IN THE RUN-UP TO THE ELECTION DAY.

ANOTHER 256,000 VOTED BY MAIL.

EXACT TOTALS WON'T BE KNOWN UNTIL LATER ARRIVING MALE AND PROVISIONAL BALLOTS ARE COUNTED.

DEMOCRATS CURRENTLY CONTROL 10 OUT OF 12 OF NEW JERSEY'S CONGRESSIONAL SEATS.

THREE OR FOUR OF THOSE ARE IN SWING DISTRICTS THIS YEAR, MAKING THEM ESPECIALLY VALUABLE IN A YEAR WHERE DEMOCRATS ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING THEIR 12 SEAT MAJORITY IN CONGRESS.

>>> LOOKS LIKE NEW JERSEY IS POSITIONING ITSELF TO BECOME A LEADER IN THE FILM INDUSTRY.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS ON HOW STATE LEADERS PLAN TO DO IT.

PLUS, ALTERNATE BUSINESS HEADLINES.

RHONDA?

>> Reporter: RIHANNA, THE STATE IS LOOKING TO EXPAND ITS TAX CREDIT PROGRAM FOR FILM AND MEDIA PRODUCTION, WITH THE HOPES OF ATTRACTING MORE PROJECTS TO THE STATE.

THE BOARD OF THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC ELEMENT AUTHORITY HAS PROVED SEVERAL PROPOSED CHANGES, INCLUDING AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF TAX CREDIT AVAILABLE.

SPECIFIC ALLOCATIONS CREDITS FOR LONG-TERM COMMITMENTS FROM LARGER STUDIO PROJECTS, AND EXPANSION OF THE DIVERSITY BONUS, AND AN EXTENSION OF THE PROGRAMS TIMELINE TO 2034.

THERE WILL BE PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE FINAL ADOPTION OF THE CHANGES.

THE NJ EDA SAYS SINCE THE PROGRAM BEGAN A FEW YEARS BACK, OVER 68 PRODUCTIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR TAX CREDITS.

WITH HOUSING INVENTORY REMAINING LOW IN NEW JERSEY, MANY HOMES ARE SELLING ABOVE THEIR ASKING PRICES.

>>> DATA FROM NEW JERSEY REALTORS SHOWS, HOMES IN APRIL WERE SELLING FOR 103.5% OF ASKING PRICE, AND IT IS EVEN HIGHER IN SOME TOWNS.

REALTOR PAULA CARD ANISE OF SIGNATURE REALTY IN SOME IT SAYS THAT IS THE CASE IN MONTCLAIR.

SHE HAS SEEN HER LISTINGS GO FOR MUCH MORE THAN THE ASKING PRICE.

>> OUT OF THE 50 HOUSES THAT ARE ALREADY FOR SALE, THREE OR FOUR ARE ALREADY IN INTERNAL REVIEW.

LAST MONTH, ONLY TWO PROPERTIES SOLD UNDER THE LIST PRICE.

THE REST SOLD FOR 30, 27% OVER ASKING.

>> Reporter: MULTIPLE BIDDERS WANT PROPERTIES, AND'S SHE IS STILL SEEING INTEREST FROM NEW YORKERS NOW WANTING TO LIVE IN NEW JERSEY.

>>> NEW YORK'S PLAN TO ADDRESS PRICING IN MANHATTAN, IS NOT HAPPENING ANYTIME SOON, DURING A DEBATE THIS WEEK, NEW YORK'S GOVERNOR KATHY HOGLE SAID CONGESTION PRICING ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN OVER THE NEXT YEAR UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

SHE BLAMED FEDERAL HURDLES.

A NEW JERSEY GROUP OPPOSED THAT PRICING PLAN RESPONDED THAT CONGESTION PRICING IS JUST NOT WORTH THE TROUBLE, ESPECIALLY WITH HIGH GAS PRICES.

>>> 46 MUNICIPALITIES ACROSS THE STATE WILL RECEIVE A TOTAL OF $820,000 IN COMMUNITY ENERGY PLAN GRANTS FROM THE STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES.

THE PROGRAM GIVES LOCAL COMMUNITIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE ENERGY PLANS THAT ALIGN WITH THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION'S CLEAN ENERGY GOALS.

THEY ARE ENCOURAGED TO DESIGN PLANS TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE WITH A SPECIFIC FOCUS ON EQUITY, ENERGY RESILIENCE, RENEWABLE ENERGY, AND EFFICIENCY.

>>> NOW HERE IS A CHECK ON WALL STREET TRADING FROM TODAY.

I AM ROBIN SCHEFFLER, AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP IS THIS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY MJ CU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, A GAME CHASING FORWARDS OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY OR BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE PATH TRAIN IN JERSEY CITY, AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE AT MJ CU.EDU/GAME CHANGERS.

>>> YOU CAN JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER FOR MJ BUSINESS THIS WEEKEND, SHE GETS THE POLLS ON NEW JERSEY'S HOUSING MARKET, WITH LOW INVENTORY AND RISING MORTGAGE RATES, PLUS, SHE LOOKS AT POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES FIND AND KEEP QUALITY HOUSING.

WATCH IT SATURDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>>> ONE OF THE COMPANIES ALLEGED TO HAVE POLLUTED NEWARK'S RIVER DECADES AGO IS MOVING CLOSER TO BUILDING A WATERFRONT PARK AS PART OF REMEDIATION EFFORTS.

A FIVE ACRE SCENIC PARK IS PLANNED FOR THE DIAMOND ACOLYTE SUPERFUND SITE IN EAST NEWARK, WHERE A LARGE STRETCH OF THE RIVER WAS POLLUTED BY TOXINS AND THE HERBICIDE AGENT ORANGE PRODUCED ON THE BANKS THERE DURING THE 1950s AND 60s.

THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE BASF CORPORATION, THAT IS A CHEMICAL GIANT THAT OWNS MOST OF THE VACANT LOT AT THE SITE.

THE DEAL PROVIDES BASF WITH A $73 MILLION CREDIT TO BUILD AND MANAGE THE PARK TO OFFSET ITS POTENTIAL LIABILITY FROM THE SUPERFUND SITE.

THERE IS NO SPECIFIC TIMELINE YET FOR CONSTRUCTION.

>>> THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IS GETTING BLOWBACK FROM WHAT ADVOCATES ARE CALLING A CHAOTIC AND ABRUPT MOVE.

A DECISION TO CLOSE UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CHARTER SCHOOL IN YORK AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

PARENTS SAY IT WILL LEAVE 700 STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES SCRAMBLING TO FIND A SCHOOL FOR THE FALL.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> Reporter: THAT IS THE PASSION PLAY FROM UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THEY ARE HOPING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HEARS.

>> I FEEL VERY SAD, I DON'T WANT IT TO CLOSE.

IT HAS BEEN AN AMAZING SCHOOL, EVER SINCE I CAME.

>> Reporter: THE SCHOOL IS SCHEDULED TO CLOSE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.

THE D.O.E.

SENT A LETTER ON JUNE 1st CONFIRMING IT WOULD BE SHUTTING DOWN UA CS FOR FAILING TO PROVIDE A HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION.

A SHOCK TO MANY PARENTS.

>> WHEN YOU SEE YOUR FIVE-YEAR- OLD, WHICH IS A, ABOUT MATH, LIKE WHAT?

ARE YOU REALLY ASKING ME HOW MUCH IS?

YOU DON'T REALLY SEE IT AT THAT AGE, DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

ON ANY OTHER SCHOOL?

THE SAME THING WITH MY OLDER, MY OLDER CHILD.

SECOND GRADE, GOING TO THIRD GRADE, THERE'S NOTHING HAVE TO SAY THAT TELLS ME THAT THEY ARE NOT DOING WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING IN REGARDS TO THE EDUCATION OF MY KIDS.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE D.O.E., THE DECISION TO CLOSE WAS BASED ON THE SCHOOL'S INABILITY TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE ACADEMIC PLAN AFTER IT WAS PLACED ON PROBATION IN 2019.

ACTING COMMISSIONER ANGELICA ALLEMAN MILLIS STATING, BASED ON ON-SITE OBSERVATIONS, DOCUMENT REVIEW, INTERVIEWS WITH STAKEHOLDERS, AND THE REVIEW OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, THE DEPARTMENT HAS DETERMINED UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CONTINUES TO FAIL TO PROVIDE A HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION, FOCUSED ON CHARACTER, SCHOLARSHIP, AND LEADERSHIP NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS IN AN EXPERIENTIAL, INNOVATIVE, AND COLLABORATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: >> WE COMPLETELY DISAGREE WITH THAT, AND EVIDENCE SHOWS WE HAVE PUT EFFECTIVE PLANS INTO PLACE.

>> Reporter: DR. CHRISTY ALBER WAS BLINDSIDED BY THE D.O.E.

'S ANNOUNCEMENT.

SHE SAYS DOCS HAS LAMENTED A MULTITUDE OF RESOURCES FOR TOOLS THAT IS WORKING.

DR. ALBER SAYS THE D.O.E.

NEVER SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED WHAT IT WAS LOOKING FOR AFTER VISITING THE SCHOOL.

>> WHAT WE DID RECEIVE SEVERAL MONTHS LATER WAS THE CLOSING NOTICE, WITH ONLY 30 DAYS LEFT, AND ACTUALLY 17 DAYS LEFT FOR STUDENTS.

SO IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE THAT, OR HAVE HAD THAT FEEDBACK.

WHAT FEEDBACK THEY DID ABIDE IN THE LETTER WAS BASED ON TEST SCORES FROM 2018, BEFORE OUR NEW ADMINISTRATION AND TEACHERS ARE RIGHT.

>> Reporter: NOW NEARLY 700 FAMILIES ARE SCRAMBLING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THEIR KIDS WILL GO NEXT YEAR., WHICH EDUCATIONAL EXPERTS SAY COULD CREATE A MAJOR SETBACK FOR STUDENTS.

>> WE HAVE TO AT LEAST THINK ABOUT THE, THOSE KIND OF DAMAGES AND DISRUPTIONS, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND ACADEMIC THAT OCCUR WHEN WE FORCE A SCHOOL MOVE.

YOU KNOW, BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GRADE, THIRD AND FOURTH GRADE, EACH TIME A KID IS FACED WITH ONE OF THOSE DISRUPTIONS, ET CETERA THEM BACK A BIT ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY, DEVELOP MENTALLY.

>> WE LOVE THE SCHOOL, WE ARE COMMITTED, AND WE CAN TURN IT AROUND IF WE ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY, AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE ASKING THE STATE TO DO.

>> Reporter: THE NEW JERSEY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION HAS ALLEGED TO ASSIST THE FAMILIES NOW SEARCHING FOR A NEW SCHOOL.

HUNDREDS HAVE PEOPLE HAVE SINCE SIGNED AN ONLINE PETITION TO SAVE UHCS, STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND STAFF SAY THEY CONTINUE TO STAY OPTIMISTIC WITH HOPES THAT THEY WON'T HAVE TO SAY THEIR FINAL GOODBYES AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EVENING, BUT TUNE IN TOMORROW MORNING FOR REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH THE SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ THIS WEEK, DAVID LOOKS AT THE IMPACT OF THE PARTY LINE IN ELECTIONS, WITH SUE ALTMAN FROM NJ WORKING FAMILIES THIS GROUP FILED A LAWSUIT TO CHANGE THE BALLOT PLACEMENT SYSTEM.

THEN HE ANALYZES THE PRIMARY RESULTS WITH A PANEL OF LOCAL REPORTERS.

THAT IS FRIDAY AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, FROM THE ENTIRE TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING, WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> THEM MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS RIGHT FOR EVERY CHILD.

NJTVNEWS.ORG 24, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER, AND ORSTED, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE, OFFSHORE, WIND ENERGY.

JOBS.

EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY-CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

ORSTED, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

ONLINE AT U.S..TRAN25.COM.